The Myanmar President's Office on December 31 announced the release of all remaining political prisoners by the end of the day in a bid to ensure stability, lasting peace and national solidarity.

The pardon covers those convicted and prosecuted on charges of unlawful association, treason and sedition as well as violations of the law on p eaceful gathering and procession , the office said.

All ongoing cases under those charges will also be closed, it added.

Since the incumbent civilian government took office in 2011, a number of amnesties have taken place.
During a visit to the UK in July, President Thein Sein pledged there will be no jailed political prisoners after 2013.

Also on December 31, the ruling Union Solidarity and Development Party (USDP) proposed amending 73 provisions and annulling 21 provisions of the 2008 Constitution ahead of the 2015 general election.

The decision includes a proposed amendment to Section 59-f of the 2008 Constitution, which blocks opposition leader Aung San Suu Kyi from becoming president.

The amendment will pave the way for Suu Kyi to run for the presidency by allowing her two sons to take Myanmar citizenship since her spouse, who was a British scholar, has died.

Earlier, the opposition, the National League for Democracy Party led by Suu Kyi announced that it will enter the general election in 2015 no matter if the constitution is changed or not.-VNA